Preview — The Star Side of Bird Hill
by Naomi Jackson

The Star Side of Bird Hill

After their mother can no longer care for them, young Phaedra and her older sister, Dionne, are exiled from Brooklyn to Bird Hill in Barbados to live with their grandmother Hyacinth, a midwife and practitioner of the local spiritual practice of obeah.

Dionne spends the summer in search of love, testing her grandmother's limits, and wanting to go home. Phaedra explores BirdAfter their mother can no longer care for them, young Phaedra and her older sister, Dionne, are exiled from Brooklyn to Bird Hill in Barbados to live with their grandmother Hyacinth, a midwife and practitioner of the local spiritual practice of obeah.

Dionne spends the summer in search of love, testing her grandmother's limits, and wanting to go home. Phaedra explores Bird Hill, where her family has lived for generations, accompanies her grandmother in her role as a midwife, and investigates their mother's mysterious life.

When the father they barely know comes to Bird Hill to reclaim his daughters, and both Phaedra and Dionne must choose between the Brooklyn they once knew and loved or the Barbados of their family....more

Community Reviews

Lovely prose. Started strangely as if in the middle of a conversation but it quickly flowed into a gorgeous coming of age novel about two young girls sent to Barbados to live with their grandmother. What Jackson does especially well is capture the small island village where Dionne and Phaedra find themselves, and the tightly bound community they become a part of. Very memorable novel.

I wish I could think of a different way to say coming of age . The phrase is used so often to describe how children come to the verge of adulthood and they are usually taken there by some difficult events , but there's no getting around it . That's exactly what this story is about and how these characters face sadness , depression, death while trying to find a place in the world . Two sisters Phaedra aged 10 and Dionne aged 16 are forced to learn about and to face some harsh realities that lifeI wish I could think of a different way to say coming of age . The phrase is used so often to describe how children come to the verge of adulthood and they are usually taken there by some difficult events , but there's no getting around it . That's exactly what this story is about and how these characters face sadness , depression, death while trying to find a place in the world . Two sisters Phaedra aged 10 and Dionne aged 16 are forced to learn about and to face some harsh realities that life deals them . They are sent for the summer to Barbados to live with their grandmother , Hyacinth when their mother is unable to care for them.

At times it's easy to dislike 16 year old Dionne . She's angry and a little wild , but we see how caring she really is as we learn that she cared for her sister and tended to her incapacitated mother when they lived in Brooklyn . It is apparent that underneath the anger is a genuine sadness and it becomes apparent that she is more than a little lost . Phaedra , while precocious and smart is most times sweetly innocent and it's heartbreaking that she has to learn these tough things life has to offer at so young as she .

While slow at times , I always wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen to these girls especially after their irresponsible, father shows up. I loved Hyacinth who loves her granddaughters dearly . It a well written debut that depicts the customs and culture of Barbados as well as giving us a beautiful rendering of family and belonging amid sorrow and loss .

I was very surprised, considering how well this book was written, to find out it is this authors first novel. The journey from childhood to adulthood is never easy, and it is especially difficult for Phaedra, aged ten and Dionne aged sixteen, when they are sent from Brooklyn to Barbados to stay the summer with their grandmother. Promised, by their mother, who has been in a depression, that she would be sending for them when summer was over.

My favorite character was Hyacinth, their grandmother, wI was very surprised, considering how well this book was written, to find out it is this authors first novel. The journey from childhood to adulthood is never easy, and it is especially difficult for Phaedra, aged ten and Dionne aged sixteen, when they are sent from Brooklyn to Barbados to stay the summer with their grandmother. Promised, by their mother, who has been in a depression, that she would be sending for them when summer was over.

My favorite character was Hyacinth, their grandmother, who is a midwife and practitioner of Obeah. Would like to have read more about these two things but the story is not really about her so much as about the girls and the adjustments they must make. Things are so different at Bird Hill, that at first the girls flounder, filled with resentment at being sent away. Phaedra will be the first to adjust, a young girl who seems at times wise above her years. Dione, who had taken care of her mother and her younger sister, has trouble with the idea of someone telling her what to do, taking care of her. A tragic event in the middle of the novel will have the girls scrambling to come to terms with the new circumstance that they must now face.

Wonderful, depth filled characters. The folklore and food, as well as the celebrations and stories, give the reader a vivid glimpse of Bird Hill. Wonderful first book and will be looking for more from this talented author....more

This is a beautiful novel about family complexities-universal insights on growing up, and the challenge of crumples.When the two sisters leave for Barbados to live with their grandmother for the summer- the girls receive more steadiness of supervision, routines, chores, and rituals, than from their mother back in New York. The reader will wonder why....waiting to know more about the mystery of both parents. Naomi Jackson takes us on a journey with each of the girls. Their characters - along withThis is a beautiful novel about family complexities-universal insights on growing up, and the challenge of crumples.When the two sisters leave for Barbados to live with their grandmother for the summer- the girls receive more steadiness of supervision, routines, chores, and rituals, than from their mother back in New York. The reader will wonder why....waiting to know more about the mystery of both parents. Naomi Jackson takes us on a journey with each of the girls. Their characters - along with the grandmother-are all so realistic you can see yourself in each of them. The reader can be age 10, or 16, or 63. It's actually a little challenging to review this novel.., because I think much said of anything, can spoil readers having their own experience. Its RICH IN QUALITY... It will touch you deeply. It's a great book club discussion pick.It could also be a wonderful movie!

My one criticism, is that I felt too many names were introduced at the start of the storytelling. Several were minor characters that we didn't need to know yet. I would have liked to be more familiar with the main characters first. However, the positives, of everything else, by far, out weigh any negatives. Had I read the 'blurp' a little more closely, I would have been familiar with the main characters names better.

Here's a quote .....a reminder to 'thyself', which I liked very much. "Sixty-three years on this earth had taught Hyacinth that it wasn't so much the mistakes that people made but how flexible they were in their aftermath that made all the difference and how their lives turned out."

The Star Side of Bird Hill is a lovely well written book with a good story -- although readers should know it has a sad undercurrent with a very sad event right in the middle. It's the 1980s, and Dionne and Phaedra are sent from Brooklyn to live with their grandmother in Barbados because their mother Avril has essentially fallen apart and can't look after them. Dionne is 16, and she finds Barbados very staid compared to Brooklyn. Phaedra is 10 and misses her mother but is happy to enjoy the safeThe Star Side of Bird Hill is a lovely well written book with a good story -- although readers should know it has a sad undercurrent with a very sad event right in the middle. It's the 1980s, and Dionne and Phaedra are sent from Brooklyn to live with their grandmother in Barbados because their mother Avril has essentially fallen apart and can't look after them. Dionne is 16, and she finds Barbados very staid compared to Brooklyn. Phaedra is 10 and misses her mother but is happy to enjoy the safe place offered by her grandmother. The themes are familiar -- dislocation, coming of age in between two cultures, family dissolution -- but the execution is really well done. Jackson writes beautifully -- her writing is a bit lyrical and stream of consciousness, flitting around in time and from different points of view, but none of which is overdone. And I really enjoyed the characters, especially Phaedra -- who tries to make sense of her world -- and her grandmother Hyancinth -- sometimes harsh but full of love, wisdom and great sayings. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy....more

“Hyacinth said that it was a gift to greet a new day, and that you needed to meet it in a way that showed how grateful you were to have your life spared. “

This sentence, on page 29 of Naomi Jackson's 298 page beautiful and engaging novel, Star Side of Bird Hill, essentially sums up the entire story. It brings to light a cacophony of seasoned wisdom and lessons for the youth who believe they are invincible. Set in St. John, Barbados a town on the east side of the island full of spirit -- not just“Hyacinth said that it was a gift to greet a new day, and that you needed to meet it in a way that showed how grateful you were to have your life spared. “

This sentence, on page 29 of Naomi Jackson's 298 page beautiful and engaging novel, Star Side of Bird Hill, essentially sums up the entire story. It brings to light a cacophony of seasoned wisdom and lessons for the youth who believe they are invincible. Set in St. John, Barbados a town on the east side of the island full of spirit -- not just from the noted church that quietly but profoundly becomes a symbolic character (in my opinion), but from the inhabitants and the environment itself-- and subset in Brooklyn, New York, a massive borough redefined by emotional overload and a chaotically profound Renaissance, the story follows the lives of two girls, sisters, Dionne and Phaedra and their transition between two worlds that hold the distinct similarity of having family in both and Hyacinth, their feisty, conscientious grandmother.

Star Side of Bird Hill burst through my senses from the opening lines like a blazing sun on the clear Caribbean Sea, glistening beautifully blue; alluring, passionate and inviting. I completed the reading of Star Side…, cruising toward the Bahamas enveloped by tropical breezes and the pungently sweet smell of the Atlantic Ocean. Periodically, I’d close my eyes and lose myself in Hyacinth’s rose garden, or among the tombstones, or on dirt roads that led to an amazing sandy beachfront. Through effortless story telling, Naomi takes her readers on that journey, that smooth yet complex cruise, through thunderous storms and sweltering heat, docking, ultimately, in paradise.

The star of the novel, the one character that demonstrates the greatest growth and development is difficult to exact, but Phaedra, who at ten, is taken through an emotional whirlwind of familial dynamics, presents an omnipotence that Jackson eases in like air. Led by the antics of her older sister, Dionne, Phaedra is endowed with the benefit of seeing the tale of two cities through three sets of generational eyes. Late night antics, fitting into an unfamiliar environment, religious influences, and community camaraderie, shape her into a child who never truly loses her innocence, but rapidly matures and opts to become a member of the new world in which she finds herself. For this, we adore her, sometimes forgetting that she is still very young. Jackson gently but deliberately weaves a story that encapsulates the reader in the traditions of the "old country" and meshes it with the "new” generation from the states. She brings into the fold the challenges of mental illness and that subject remains subtle but constant, effectively helping to shape the understanding of personalities and events.

The novel covers the relationship of three female family members, a grandmother and her two grand-daughters, during what was initially a summer visit (this after Avril’s demons go awry). With masterful and vivid descriptions, Jackson allows us into the daily and sometimes challenging lives of the women; allows us to venture through that forbidden door, and plant ourselves in a quiet corner. The reader is provided a journey into the complex simplicity of love, honor, tradition, and growth. The matriarch, Hyacinth (grandmother), a woman steeped in Bajan traditions yet keen to the understanding of the present, shows the reader the depth of her strength and conviction to her church. She loves her granddaughters with the same love she has for her daughter, their mother. Her life has been filled with matters that made her strong, but, from my perspective, weakened enough of her resolve to soften her. The girls visit was a renewal, a breath of air, and the progressive tone of the story reflects that renaissance. The reader thus imbibes the lives of all of these characters.

Jackson produces an amazing tale filled with a kaleidoscope of emotion and depth with one exception, the introduction of Errol, the father of Dionne and Phaedra. Errol is plastic, pathetic, predictable, conniving, and, as a character, surprisingly one dimensional. Arriving with his girlfriend to retrieve the girls, his methods and remarks are un-fatherly. Errol is the portrait of a snake, a tempter, a charmer, a sly beast adorning sleekly howling attire. His past isn’t hidden, not completely, which makes him even more sinister than, and just as transparent as, the beaches surrounding Barbados. Naomi Jackson made Errol colorful, but he was a backdrop, an added feature to secure the looming apparition of mental illness. With alacrity, his character meets his end in a way that many may see as an easy way out, but suitable for his nature.

There is so much lurking, a virtual cacophony of coyly placed events, like an omnipotent eye, throughout Star Side…, from remarks about darkening skin (via direct sun exposure) and trials of life, to drunkenness on darkened roads and carefully described sexual and spiritual exploration (yes, I saw these as one in the same).

I’ve read the book twice, each time getting a tall glass more than the previous read. I’ve scanned for quotes, lost myself in the mystery of gravesites, dark nights, teen spirit, and innuendoes. The book was endless, even as I read these last few lines about Phaedra:

“What she wanted more than anything was to believe what Avril had taught her, was true, that she could save herself if she needed to.”

Simply put: Full Circle.

Thank you, Naomi Jackson, for a voyage that left me satiated and eager for the next beautiful jaunt!...more

I feel like the descriptions of this book revealed too much, so I'm just going to tell you a little and then wave my arms in the air like Kermit because, holy cats, this novel is wonderful. It's a great summer in Brooklyn, but Phaedra and her older sister, Dionne have been shipped off to Barbardos to stay with the grandmother they hardly know. The girls' mother is suffering from depression, and thinks the trip will do them good. The girls try to adjust to the unfamiliar ways of the island, whileI feel like the descriptions of this book revealed too much, so I'm just going to tell you a little and then wave my arms in the air like Kermit because, holy cats, this novel is wonderful. It's a great summer in Brooklyn, but Phaedra and her older sister, Dionne have been shipped off to Barbardos to stay with the grandmother they hardly know. The girls' mother is suffering from depression, and thinks the trip will do them good. The girls try to adjust to the unfamiliar ways of the island, while their grandmother Hyacinth attempts to help raise them and keep them close in a way she didn't with their mother. This book is wonderful, and lyrical, a really stellar debut. (I declare 2015 The Year of the Debut Novel, because wow, there have been so many amazing ones!)

This poignant coming of age story combines lyrical writing with a realistic earthiness, occasionally it’s slightly too earthy for my tastes, and it features two sisters, Phaedra age 10 and Dionne age 16, whose plans for the summer are upended when their barely functioning mother sends them a world away, from Brooklyn to Barbados, to live with their grandmother, a midwife and herbalist, skills that have been passed down in their family since the times of enslavement. Caribbean culture and the sisThis poignant coming of age story combines lyrical writing with a realistic earthiness, occasionally it’s slightly too earthy for my tastes, and it features two sisters, Phaedra age 10 and Dionne age 16, whose plans for the summer are upended when their barely functioning mother sends them a world away, from Brooklyn to Barbados, to live with their grandmother, a midwife and herbalist, skills that have been passed down in their family since the times of enslavement. Caribbean culture and the sisters’ new lives on Bird Hill are beautifully and believable evoked, the characters are almost achingly real, and the story held me more and more in thrall as I went on.

In reading reviews, one thing that surprised me is some of the reactions to the cover art. The author chose the image from a painting titled “Too Much Makeup” because the wary girl it depicts reminds her of 16-year-old Dionne, who continued to wear makeup in Barbados as a kind of armor and a connection to the life she was forced away from in Brooklyn, but a number of reviewers on Amazon and other sites have made a point of saying they hate the it. I’m generally partial to all things colorful and I like the cover art, especially since the author’s description helped me see Dionne in it. What do you think?...more

I was hoping this book would charm me more than it did, but it was still a well-written book about the power of family and the strength we find in times of despair.

When their mother's depression becomes too much for her to bear, 16-year-old Dionne and 10-year-old Phaedra are sent to live in Barbados for the summer with Hyacinth, the eccentric but strong-willed grandmother they barely know. Hyacinth, a midwife, is a pillar of the community, although some treat her differently because she also praI was hoping this book would charm me more than it did, but it was still a well-written book about the power of family and the strength we find in times of despair.

When their mother's depression becomes too much for her to bear, 16-year-old Dionne and 10-year-old Phaedra are sent to live in Barbados for the summer with Hyacinth, the eccentric but strong-willed grandmother they barely know. Hyacinth, a midwife, is a pillar of the community, although some treat her differently because she also practices the spiritual rituals of obeah.

For Dionne, the summer in Barbados is both a punishment and a blessing. She does everything she can to avoid her grandmother's watchful eye as she tests her boundaries and explores her burgeoning sexuality, although she recognizes the emotional toll that takes. But at the same time, it is a bit of a relief to not have to care for Phaedra herself, or deal the burdens of living with a severely depressed mother.

"She knew intimately the precarious nature of their life, the way that it depended on a series of carefully constructed lies, the ones she told to get meat on credit at the butcher at the end of the month when her mother's money ran out; the ones she told to fend off her and Phaedra's teachers' suspicions; the ones she told to keep her friends from coming over to her house, and seeing her mother."

Phaedra is having a harder time, trying to understand the reasons her mother became ill and whether she will inherit those traits. In an effort to learn more about her grandmother's midwifery and her obeah practices, she confronts the knottiness of adult secrets, and realizes that as much as the excitement of getting older appeals to her, the risks frighten her a bit. She, too, is torn between the magic of Barbados and missing her mother.

The Star Side of Bird Hill is populated by rich, colorful characters, and Naomi Jackson's vivid descriptions of Barbados definitely bring its landscape, its culture, and its people to life. But while the story is interesting, its pieces fell into place a little too neatly and predictably for me, and it didn't hold my interest as much as I hoped it would. Still, this is a moving, thought-provoking book, which captures the emotional turmoil of growing up amidst crises as well as the strength a parent needs to love a child who is troubled.

I received a copy from this from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was happy to come across this book, because in my quest to read a book from every country, I had yet to find one from Barbados. The two sisters in the novel, Dionne (16) and Phaedra (10) move from Brooklyn to Barbados to live with their grandmother. There is a bit in there about the contrast between homes (in the states you get to decide what/who you're going to be, and "on the hill" who you are iI received a copy from this from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was happy to come across this book, because in my quest to read a book from every country, I had yet to find one from Barbados. The two sisters in the novel, Dionne (16) and Phaedra (10) move from Brooklyn to Barbados to live with their grandmother. There is a bit in there about the contrast between homes (in the states you get to decide what/who you're going to be, and "on the hill" who you are is who your people have been) and cultures, and both girls struggle to fit in either place.

Their mother suffers from mental illness, and the story sometimes dips into events of the past to explain some of that context. The grandmother is an important character, teaching them about the old ways and how to be strong, whether or not they want to hear it.

It was interesting to me to see the similarities between the people presented in this novel with other novels I've read from the Caribbean, and then the small details that make Barbados distinct. ...more

Home is more than where you live. It is where you are loved. It is the place you feel safe, where your fondest memories are created and stored. Home plays a major role in the creation of your identity. If another place was home, you would be a different version of yourself. The Star Side of Bird Hill is about two sisters, one a preteen and the other a little closer to the verge of womanhood, who are sent from Brooklyn to Barbados to spend a summer with their grandmother. This temporary arrangemeHome is more than where you live. It is where you are loved. It is the place you feel safe, where your fondest memories are created and stored. Home plays a major role in the creation of your identity. If another place was home, you would be a different version of yourself. The Star Side of Bird Hill is about two sisters, one a preteen and the other a little closer to the verge of womanhood, who are sent from Brooklyn to Barbados to spend a summer with their grandmother. This temporary arrangement is given permanence when their severely depressed mother kills herself. With their father out of the picture, having no parents in their lives means that home is suddenly redefined. But Bird Hill is not what they know nor what they have chosen. It is an idyllic prison cell. The children of Bird Hill are not their true friends. Their grandmother is an unbending woman with strange ways, not the adored woman who raised them. This is not to say that Brooklyn was paradise, for that was where their mother had been vanishing before their eyes by withdrawing into herself as depression took hold. Brooklyn is where their father abandoned them. Barbados is where he makes a surprise reappearance that is difficult to trust. Who they can have faith in is their stalwart grandmother, and she is rooted in an island they knew little of up until now. So Bird Hill is where they will finish becoming the women they are meant to be. Memories happy and sad, at least for the time being, must stay behind in Brooklyn. The new shape of home, including loved ones they have gained and those who have been lost, must be accepted no matter how reluctantly. Passage of time will construct that acceptance. This is a fine debut novel by Naomi Jackson, an author to keep an eye on....more

A year or two back, I vowed I'd read more multicultural stuff and more books by women authors. While I can't say I've gone gangbusters on the vow, I can say progress has been made. This here is a "twofer." Naomi Jackson gives us the story of two Brooklyn, NY, girls who are sent by their overwhelmed mother to Grandma Hyacinth in Barbados. To say life is different on the island is understatement.

Dionne is a willful 16 and her little sister Phaedra a sensitive and precocious ten when they meet theiA year or two back, I vowed I'd read more multicultural stuff and more books by women authors. While I can't say I've gone gangbusters on the vow, I can say progress has been made. This here is a "twofer." Naomi Jackson gives us the story of two Brooklyn, NY, girls who are sent by their overwhelmed mother to Grandma Hyacinth in Barbados. To say life is different on the island is understatement.

Dionne is a willful 16 and her little sister Phaedra a sensitive and precocious ten when they meet their witch doctor-like grandma, who is as full of sayings and homespun wisdom as she is cures from herbs and roots. It is especially rough for Dionne, who is coming into her body and curious as a cat about the body electrics known as boys. Grandma does her best to prevent any power surges, but hormones will have their way. Meanwhile, Phaedra's just taking it all in -- the wonder that is her scheming older sister, her mysterious grandmother, the unusual tropical island.

Up in Brooklyn, Mom remains a distant mystery and a too-close-for-comfort memory on the island where she herself grew up. Her presence is palpable throughout the pages.

Best thing about the book? Hyacinth. This is one strong lady, despite her 63 years. Lots of personality and will to match Dionne's. You might want a ringside seat. And when the girls' long-disappeared daddy reappears to "take the girls" it's tropical fireworks. Overall, interesting. Some semblance of plot perks up toward the end, but other than that, you're in for a character study with poetic outbursts here and there....more

I bought this late last year partly because of the sassy book cover and because Naomi Jackson (the author) is an alum of Williams College - Middlebury's (my alma mater) sister liberal arts school in the boonies! This was a very decent coming-of-age story. I liked Naomi's easy-going and descriptive writing style. Her descriptions of Barbados definitely make this a great summer read. I felt like I was with the characters on the sandy beaches and I could!!! https://africanbookaddict.com/2016/07...

I bought this late last year partly because of the sassy book cover and because Naomi Jackson (the author) is an alum of Williams College - Middlebury's (my alma mater) sister liberal arts school in the boonies! This was a very decent coming-of-age story. I liked Naomi's easy-going and descriptive writing style. Her descriptions of Barbados definitely make this a great summer read. I felt like I was with the characters on the sandy beaches and I could even hear the voices of both Dionne and Phaedra in this book - that's how thorough Naomi's descriptions are.

I didn't expect this book to be as deep as it was. Issues of depression, mental illness, death, divorce, suicide, homosexuality, bi-cultural upbringing, Christianity, voodoo etc are all tackled in this book. I really admired the strength of Hyacinth - Dionne and Phaedra's grandma. I love books that highlight the strength of women! Some of the incidences in the book seemed far-fetched and I definitely have some questions to ask Naomi Jackson if I ever get the chance to meet her. I sensed some similarities in this storyline to Danticat's 'Breath, Eyes, Memory' - even though Danticat took the themes of mother-daughter relationships, depression, sexual assault and suicide to another (mature) level...

The Starry Side of Bird Hill is a coming of age story for Brooklynites Dionne, a headstrong, boy-crazy teen and her younger, tomboy sister, Phaedra. Their parents are first generation Bajan immigrants who struggle with becoming acclimated to each other, their new country, and realizing their dreams. The increasing pressures and challenges negatively affect their marriage (which eventually fails) and homelife for their children take a turn for the worse. The siblings are sent to their sagacious mThe Starry Side of Bird Hill is a coming of age story for Brooklynites Dionne, a headstrong, boy-crazy teen and her younger, tomboy sister, Phaedra. Their parents are first generation Bajan immigrants who struggle with becoming acclimated to each other, their new country, and realizing their dreams. The increasing pressures and challenges negatively affect their marriage (which eventually fails) and homelife for their children take a turn for the worse. The siblings are sent to their sagacious maternal grandmother, Hyacinth, an obeah midwife, in Barbados for the summer and while a restless Dionne rebels, Phaedra settles in nicely.

Drama and more tragedy ensue forcing their long lost father to return to Barbados to reclaim the girls and take them to return to Miami, Florida. Dionne relishes the offer while Phaedra and Hyacinth are reluctant - the family unit is threatened, yet decisions must be made rather quickly.

The story submerges the reader in island culture, food, festivals/holiday, folklore - aspects I really enjoyed. This is a lyrical tale steeped in family values and love. A notable debut that young adults and mature readers will enjoy....more

Sigh. I am such a sucker for books around immigrants, belonging and a sense of family. But I guess for every White Teeth, there is a The Star Side of Bird Hill. I wanted to like everything about this, the uprooting of Dionne and Phaedra from their lives in Brooklyn to the island of Barbados and the foot of Bird Hill, the mystery surrounding their mother's illness and their father's departure and their own family history, filled with magic of the literal and metaphorical kind. I wanted to read thSigh. I am such a sucker for books around immigrants, belonging and a sense of family. But I guess for every White Teeth, there is a The Star Side of Bird Hill. I wanted to like everything about this, the uprooting of Dionne and Phaedra from their lives in Brooklyn to the island of Barbados and the foot of Bird Hill, the mystery surrounding their mother's illness and their father's departure and their own family history, filled with magic of the literal and metaphorical kind. I wanted to read this coming of age tale about the clash between modernity and old ways of life and feel transported to somewhere different. Instead, I got a disjointed story that didn't know whether it wanted to be family drama or bittersweet comedy.

The story follows Dionne, a headstrong sixteen year old and her sister Phaedra, who are sent by their mother Avril to live in Bird Hill with their grandmother Hyacinth. Their mother is depressed and her marriage has fallen apart, but she believes that some time apart from her daughters will help her and put them both in touch with their heritage. The way of life in Bird Hill is a mash up of faith in God (they attend Vocational Bible Studies) and one in the old ways, portrayed by their grandmother, part witch woman and part midwife, a keeper of the hill's secrets and a soother of wounds. The girls rebel against this way of life, whether through exploring their sexuality or becoming more and more reclusive. But tragedy strikes the family and they are all left floundering, having to rely on one another for support and love. On paper, it sounds great, but in practice it ends up being a mess, as I couldn't connect with either character and found both their "voices" to be shallow and annoying.

The plot also meanders, reading a lot like disjointed scenes that Jackson thought sounded great but which really fall flat. The worst part in all of this is that her writing isn't terrible, and there are small bits where I genuinely felt sad, where I could sympathise with Dionne's plight and feel sorry for Phaedra's outsider status. I also had immense pity for Avril, someone who wants so much, cares so much and whose demons are just too strong to fight. When the inevitable came, I was both shocked and ready for it and its fallout. But the one thing that annoyed me beyond belief was Errol, the girls' father. I could deal with his absence and the fact that he couldn't save Avril and left, but it's like Jackson wanted to demonise him further, to really make sure I hated him; he's a philanderer and a homophobe, he's an alcoholic who doesn't seem to genuinely care about his daughters, but when she revealed that (view spoiler)[he was a child molester as well (hide spoiler)], I pretty much threw in the towel. It just came out of the blue and for nothing more than shock value.

As far as I'm concerned, there are better stories than this out there. It's not an offensive book, but it's also not one I could recommend to anyone I know. If you want to read coming of age tales about immigrants and their children, go to Zadie Smith before Naomi Jackson....more

Naomi Jackson is another whippersnapper, like Nicole Krauss (History of Love), who is wise beyond her handful of years. This bittersweet story about girls and women and women and girls and time and loss and the disguises of love focusses on two sisters who are worlds apart.

One sister, with the exquisite, improbable name Phaedra treads slowly, consciously, tactilely like a blind old soul carrying ancient wounds whose origins have been forgotten but whose pains remain. She seems, at times, to haveNaomi Jackson is another whippersnapper, like Nicole Krauss (History of Love), who is wise beyond her handful of years. This bittersweet story about girls and women and women and girls and time and loss and the disguises of love focusses on two sisters who are worlds apart.

One sister, with the exquisite, improbable name Phaedra treads slowly, consciously, tactilely like a blind old soul carrying ancient wounds whose origins have been forgotten but whose pains remain. She seems, at times, to have a sensate gift, a knowledge of others gained by observation, smell? aura? Something others don’t observe; that doesn’t necessarily protect her, but may forewarn her.

The other sister is full of rage and full of lust - both undirected, often interchangeable. “Dionne was the kind of girl who always wanted to be prepared for the event of someone else’s judgment, even a stranger’s.”

Both are children of unfortunate adults above which they’ll need to rise. During which the unknowns that land in their path force them to learn who they are & will be. And their reactions; what catalyzes tenderness, anger, insight, love, running away and coming home - all make this a must read....more

This is the debut novel of Naomi Jackson set on the island of Barbados. In the rural village of Bird Hill, we meet and follow two sisters Dionne and Phaedra Ann Braithwaite. They are spending the summer with their grandmother. And it is clear that all is not well with these girls who live in Brooklyn with their mother. As the narrative unwinds, family secrets are spilled and life changes for these two girls.

This is a dense but worthwhile reading experience. The topics tackled are meaty and areThis is the debut novel of Naomi Jackson set on the island of Barbados. In the rural village of Bird Hill, we meet and follow two sisters Dionne and Phaedra Ann Braithwaite. They are spending the summer with their grandmother. And it is clear that all is not well with these girls who live in Brooklyn with their mother. As the narrative unwinds, family secrets are spilled and life changes for these two girls.

This is a dense but worthwhile reading experience. The topics tackled are meaty and are treated deftly by Miss Jackson. She captured life in rural areas pretty accurately. The dialogue had to be adjusted for understanding but still maintains the essence of local speech. It was a bit too neat with endings but for a Bildungsroman it was brilliant.

If you struggle with the beginning chapter, it takes a while to find its rhythm so keep at it.

Jackson’s debut novel is rich with realistically complex characters and subtle wit and wisdom as the characters understand the love of family and the ties that bind them.

Two sisters, Dionne age 16 and Phaedra age 10, are sent by their mother to visit their grandmother Hyacinth in Barbados for the summer. Their mother will remain in Brooklyn to “get herself together” before the start of the new school year. Upon arriving the two sisters have a different reaction to Bird Hill, a rural and close-knJackson’s debut novel is rich with realistically complex characters and subtle wit and wisdom as the characters understand the love of family and the ties that bind them.

Two sisters, Dionne age 16 and Phaedra age 10, are sent by their mother to visit their grandmother Hyacinth in Barbados for the summer. Their mother will remain in Brooklyn to “get herself together” before the start of the new school year. Upon arriving the two sisters have a different reaction to Bird Hill, a rural and close-knit community. Phaedra, who often felt like an outcast in Brooklyn, immediately feels at home and lavishes in learning all that Barbadian. Dionne who is on the cusp of womanhood and was the one making decisions for her and her sister as her mother spiraled out of control can’t wait to get back to Brooklyn. Hyacinth while delighted to have her granddaughters for the summer and is anticipating once again seeing her daughter will find herself facing challenges she did not expect at this time in her life. But life is full of surprises good and bad and often just living is the best teacher as the three characters will learn over the summer.

This is not the Barbados you've seen in brochures. It's the Barbados of a community, of two sisters growing up, of falling in love, of heartbreak, of betrayal, of mystery, and in the grand scheme of things: immigration. Two sisters leave Brooklyn to go live with their grandmother in the summer of 1989. The sisters are ten and sixteen. The grandmother is a midwife and a spiritual healer. In the hands of many people, it is with the grandmother that things could go horribly, horribly wrong, in whatThis is not the Barbados you've seen in brochures. It's the Barbados of a community, of two sisters growing up, of falling in love, of heartbreak, of betrayal, of mystery, and in the grand scheme of things: immigration. Two sisters leave Brooklyn to go live with their grandmother in the summer of 1989. The sisters are ten and sixteen. The grandmother is a midwife and a spiritual healer. In the hands of many people, it is with the grandmother that things could go horribly, horribly wrong, in what Dhonielle Clayton would call a Minstrel Show. But this is in safe hands and it is tied into the story to create depth to the world, to the family, and the grandmother. As both sisters acclimate to their new home and finally come to terms with it, they are then faced with the decision of staying in Barbados or returning to Brooklyn bringing the continual immigrant dilemma to surface: where is home? ...more

Wow! I loved this novel. The pace was a bit slow for me but the time the author takes in building the plot and narrative was worth it! The colorful cover art does belie the gravity of the issues dealt with in the novel. So, be warned. Regardless, I do recommend this!

P.S: I listened to a podcast (Another Round) a couple weeks ago where a few ladies talked about their frustrations with coming-of-age films about black girls that always have a tragedy (Precious). Although I enjoyed this novel and bWow! I loved this novel. The pace was a bit slow for me but the time the author takes in building the plot and narrative was worth it! The colorful cover art does belie the gravity of the issues dealt with in the novel. So, be warned. Regardless, I do recommend this!

P.S: I listened to a podcast (Another Round) a couple weeks ago where a few ladies talked about their frustrations with coming-of-age films about black girls that always have a tragedy (Precious). Although I enjoyed this novel and believe in the representation of people's struggle with mental health in literature, especially in the black community, I definitely understand and identify with the desire to see other narratives of black girls, coming of age, that doesn't have to be somber and tragic. ...more

This was a nice read with a very believable plot and nicely drawn characters. It is a coming of age story regarding two sisters (10 & 16) who have been raised in New York though not necessarily happily. The girls are sent to Bird Hill to live with their grandma for the summer and because of unforeseen circumstances their lives are turned up side down.

Dionne and Phaedra are two adolescent sisters living with their mom, Avril, in Brooklyn. After deciding that the girls need to get more in touch with their extended family, Avril sends the girls to Barbados for the summer. Dionne and Phaedra spend those hot months living with their grandmother and attending Catholic Summer School--which is very differentRating: 5/5 stars

-I was given an Advance Review Copy of this book by the Penguin Press-

Dionne and Phaedra are two adolescent sisters living with their mom, Avril, in Brooklyn. After deciding that the girls need to get more in touch with their extended family, Avril sends the girls to Barbados for the summer. Dionne and Phaedra spend those hot months living with their grandmother and attending Catholic Summer School--which is very different from the way they were living in New York. Phone calls and letters from Avril become scarce, and the girls become closer to their grandmother and community in Barbados. Both Dionne and Phaedra use this summer to grow and learn more about the family their mother left behind.

This is such a beautiful coming of age novel for two girls. Dionne and Phaedra are, by far, different characters but they both come to a point of realization and mental/emotional growth by the end of the novel. They share the narration of the story equally and the reader comfortably gets to know both characters and understand how their brains work.

I loved this book, I loved the writing, and I loved the characters. Jackson did such a phenomenal job with character development, even for the somewhat minor ones. I feel like I really got to know the grandmother, the neighbors, and the classmates that interacted with the girls every day. Since I am closer to Dionne's age, I connected with her the most. Jackson definitely made her struggles genuine. They are struggles that I've dealt with myself. Seeing Dionne grow into a confident young woman made me feel proud for her and I definitely saw aspects of my own life and decisions in her's. There was definitely a big smile on my face when I was reading the ending of the novel.

I'm going to categorize this book in both the young adult and adult section of my blog. I truly think that all women and girls should read this book at some point so PLEASE put this on your "to buy/read" list for next month! I'm grateful that I got to read it in advance!...more

Two sisters, ages 16 and 10 are sent by their mother to visit their grandmother in Barbados for the summer. Their mother is suffering from depression and having difficulty looking after the girls

,Both mother and father are first generation immigrants who have struggled with their new country and realizing their dreams and now are struggling with their own relationship.

Dionne is 16 years old and entering the boy crazy years and exploring her womanhood and is pretty sure she would rather be back wTwo sisters, ages 16 and 10 are sent by their mother to visit their grandmother in Barbados for the summer. Their mother is suffering from depression and having difficulty looking after the girls

,Both mother and father are first generation immigrants who have struggled with their new country and realizing their dreams and now are struggling with their own relationship.

Dionne is 16 years old and entering the boy crazy years and exploring her womanhood and is pretty sure she would rather be back with her friends in Brooklyn.

Their grandmother, Hyacinth, is a midwife and spiritual healer. She is very well known and respected in the community of Bird Hill.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Phaedra, age 10, takes to living on Bird Hill immediately. Never really fitting in with the girls back home she finds the freedom and beauty of Barbados exciting. She loves to swim and roam free and learn about the history of her family and Barbados..

The characters in this book are so well developed that I felt I was getting to know them along with their grandmother.

When faced with their departure and return to Brooklyn at the end of the summer their both react differently, do they stay in the ancestral homeland or return to what they have known their whole life?

The family dynamics and learning the Caribbean culture drives this book and the writing is exceptional. I enjoyed learning about the "real" Barbados and the family story. There were some points, however, that were quite sad towards the middle but necessary to the story.

I would highly recommend this book to young adults and anyone wanting to read a very unique coming of age book....more

This book has a quiet, yet beautiful power. It is easily one of the best stories that I have read in 2015. It is the story of a grandmother stepping in the absence of her child and taking care of her grandchildren during the summer of 1989. The story is set in the sultry land of Barbados and I feel like the regular mention of the heat adds to the heaviness of this story. Jackson presents two young girls, in a searing land that is foreign to them carrying the weight of their mother's depression aThis book has a quiet, yet beautiful power. It is easily one of the best stories that I have read in 2015. It is the story of a grandmother stepping in the absence of her child and taking care of her grandchildren during the summer of 1989. The story is set in the sultry land of Barbados and I feel like the regular mention of the heat adds to the heaviness of this story. Jackson presents two young girls, in a searing land that is foreign to them carrying the weight of their mother's depression and the hope and fear that she will collect them.

It's a heavy and emotional story. I read passages with tears in my eyes. This can also be considered a coming of age story. Phaedra starts the book off as a bit of a loner-different from all of the other girls wherever she goes. By the end of the book, with the assistance of her grandmother, she is able to reach out into another existence and request help on behalf of her sister Dionne, who does not realize that she is in grave danger. Phaedra becomes more comfortable with herself and her confidence is apparent by the book's end.

There's a mixture of so many wonderful themes in this story, but what stands out to me is the spirituality, slave history, womanhood, power, the ability to conjure and most importantly love. Despite it all of the turmoil, Hyacinth, Dionne, Phaedra and Avril love each other.

16 year old, Dionne, and her almost 11 year old sister, Phaedra, are sent from their home in Brooklyn, NY to spend the summer with their maternal grandmother in Barbados. The father is absent, the mother is struggling to cope and the grandmother agrees to help. The girls struggle with the difference in culture and Dionne acts out. Details of their lives - past and present - emerge and life altering events change their perspectives.

Some beautifully written passages. There was a section that desc16 year old, Dionne, and her almost 11 year old sister, Phaedra, are sent from their home in Brooklyn, NY to spend the summer with their maternal grandmother in Barbados. The father is absent, the mother is struggling to cope and the grandmother agrees to help. The girls struggle with the difference in culture and Dionne acts out. Details of their lives - past and present - emerge and life altering events change their perspectives.

Some beautifully written passages. There was a section that described the daughters first snow tradition while living in New York and the desperation they shared in attempting to recreate it on their own. I also loved this quote: "...it wasn't so much the mistakes that people made but how flexible they were in their aftermath that made all the difference in how their lives turned out."

Young Phaedra is sometimes the voice of reason stating exactly what is on her mind. Dionne's actions become easier to understand as we learn her back story. I could also empathize with the grandmother who reflects on her life and previous experiences raising her daughter and is wondering how much energy she has left to cope with and guide her granddaughters during their stay. I was genuinely moved and cried near the end.

When their mother feels unable to care for them, Dionne and Phaedra are sent to their grandmother Hyacinth in Barbados for the summer. Natives of Brooklyn, the girls find Barbados a strange place. Dionne, the elder, interested in boys and becoming a woman hates it. Phaedra, the younger sister, finds the place strangely attractive. She makes friends and feels at home there, something she never felt in Brooklyn.

The setting is beautifully wA Coming of Age Story in a Closely Knit Barbados Community

When their mother feels unable to care for them, Dionne and Phaedra are sent to their grandmother Hyacinth in Barbados for the summer. Natives of Brooklyn, the girls find Barbados a strange place. Dionne, the elder, interested in boys and becoming a woman hates it. Phaedra, the younger sister, finds the place strangely attractive. She makes friends and feels at home there, something she never felt in Brooklyn.

The setting is beautifully written drawing the reader into the exotic local of Barbados. The girls characters are believable. You can't help feeling excited for Phaedra who is discovering a place where she feels at home and is eager to learn the culture. Likewise you can feel Dionne's pain as a teenager uprooted from her culture.

The plot while not exciting is filled with the drama and tragedy of real life. The prose draws the reader into the world of the girls and their grandmother and makes you see the beauty of love and the allure of the island.

If you enjoy coming of age stories in a different culture, this is one you'll enjoy.

A very enjoyable read of a kind I almost never seek out. I admire Jackson for fearlessly adopting a nearly antiquated way of storytelling, at least in the realms of contemporary literary fiction--the novel is written with an omniscient voice, interspersed with lyrical passages of free indirect style, the kind of book Thomas Hardy might have written if he were a young woman of West indian origin writing in the 21st century. It's a brave and very effective choice that allowed the author to write eA very enjoyable read of a kind I almost never seek out. I admire Jackson for fearlessly adopting a nearly antiquated way of storytelling, at least in the realms of contemporary literary fiction--the novel is written with an omniscient voice, interspersed with lyrical passages of free indirect style, the kind of book Thomas Hardy might have written if he were a young woman of West indian origin writing in the 21st century. It's a brave and very effective choice that allowed the author to write exceedingly tender and beautiful passages of community gatherings and ways of life. The story took me right to the edge of two precipitously dangerous metaphorical cliffs, sentimentalism and melodrama, but never fell over. ...more

For a debut novel this was really amazing. It is clear from Jackson's authors list in her acknowledgment that she is in great company.

I would have loved to give this book a higher ratings but there were somethings I could not see pass. What I absolutely LOVED about this novel is how it genuinely captures the island of Barbados. As a Jamaican, living in Trinidad and visited Barbados at least three times, I can say Jackson know her island. There was something magical and tropical about Jackson'sFor a debut novel this was really amazing. It is clear from Jackson's authors list in her acknowledgment that she is in great company.

I would have loved to give this book a higher ratings but there were somethings I could not see pass. What I absolutely LOVED about this novel is how it genuinely captures the island of Barbados. As a Jamaican, living in Trinidad and visited Barbados at least three times, I can say Jackson know her island. There was something magical and tropical about Jackson's writing that I loved.

I am really looking forward to her second book. If you are a Caribbean national, you will love this authentic piece of gem! ...more

This is not a loud novel. When their mother can no longer care for them, two sisters move from Brooklyn to their grandmother's house in Barbados for the summer. Their biggest obstacle is learning to live in this quiet, insular place, and the novel reflects that terrain. It is beautiful but not flashy, it doesn't yell, but hums, making a sound so low you have to be quiet to hear it, but once you do it will vibrate your soul.

Naomi Jackson is the author of a novel, The Star Side of Bird Hill. Star Side was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize, the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize, and the International Dublin Literary Award. The Black Caucus of the American Library Association named Jackson’s novel an Honor BooNaomi Jackson is the author of a novel, The Star Side of Bird Hill. Star Side was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize, the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize, and the International Dublin Literary Award. The Black Caucus of the American Library Association named Jackson’s novel an Honor Book for Fiction. Jackson studied fiction at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She traveled to South Africa on a Fulbright scholarship, where she received an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. A graduate of Williams College, Jackson’s writings have appeared or are forthcoming in Tin House, Virginia Quarterly Review, Poets & Writers, The Caribbean Writer and Obsidian. She is the recipient of residencies and fellowships from Bread Loaf, MacDowell Colony, Djerassi, Hedgebrook, the University of Pennsylvania’s Kelly Writers House, and Camargo Foundation.

“[T]he only thing that has power over you is what you can't say, even to yourself.”
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“Maybe this is what growing old was like, she thought. Maybe the world gets smaller and smaller until there's nothing but the walls around you to show you where you end and the rest of the world begins.”
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